First Connect
RN (Registered Nurse)
First Connect, Bryan, TX, United States
Unit Notes
Med Sol prescreens
****RN must pass the Basic Dysrhythmia (83%) before signing the contract. They will be given three attempts to pass.****
Unit TELE on 2nd floor
(part of a monitor pod: Tele, Tele-Observation, and Tele-Neuro Stroke)
# Beds 35
Nurse:Patient Ratios 1:4-5 both days and nights
Required Certifications (i.e., BLS, ACLS?) BLS, ACLS, NIHSS
Common diagnosis / Types of patients Cardiac/tele patients: CHF, 24 post CABG, Watchmans, dysrhythmias, EP cases, some medical telemetry- when no longer requiring tele move off floor
Experience or 'Must have' skills "Must be able to read and interpret strips independently
Must pass the Basic Dysrhythmia exam -will be given 3 attempts to pass. Remediation may be offered. Do have a study guide that can be provided
Must have NIHSS
2+ years experience preferred ok with 1 year if comfortable and confident (***CNMs please use your clinical judgment on if they are comfortable and confident)
Prefer Neuro and Cardiac experience- not a deal breaker"
Are RN's required to titrate drips No- set rate only
Common titratable &/or set rate drips "Cardizem, Dobutamine, Milrinone, Amiodarone, Dopamine
Have step by step protocols for these drips"
Are there Tele/Monitor Techs on this unit? Are RN's required to read their own strips? What brand are the tele monitors? "Yes- 2 staffed 24/7 all 66 beds in the Tele Pod
RNs required to read and interpret"
Charge Nurse/House Supervisor? Does the charge nurse take an assignment? Free charge nurse on days. Night charge will take assignment if short staffed- will have 2-3 patients
RT/Equipment (i.e., Cpap, Bipap, High Flow, vents, etc.) Home regimen CPAP and BiPAP
Shifts & Scheduling (Do you allow self-scheduling? Block scheduling?) "12 hours 645-645
Self-scheduling but not finalized until balanced by manager
Do allow block scheduling"
Weekend Requirements "6 weekend shifts (every other weekend) in a 6 week period
Days-Sat, Sun Nights Fri, Sat"
Holiday Requirements "2 major (Eve and day- Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) and 2 minor
Will fill in where there is a need"
Is there Call or a Standby requirement? no
Floating Requirements? "Majority of time will float within the 3 monitor pods, occasionally will float out to MedSurg. May go to higher acuity floor talking ONLY tele patients
Travelers are first to float"
Scrub Color/Dress Code/Scrubs Provided? Navy - undershirts must be navy. Scrub jackets are optional, must be navy.
Unit/Department Specific Orientation "Half of first day will be spent with HR and rest of day will be with unit educator- checking systems access, unit tours, etc.
Next 2 shifts will be orienting with a nurse on the floor "
Additional Notes "Joint Commission heart attack and stroke center, have intervention capabilities
A lot of travelers extend for at least a year
Great communication
Welcoming to travelers
Always have access to manager and all the resources they will need
All 3 monitor units work closely together"
Med Sol prescreens
****RN must pass the Basic Dysrhythmia (83%) before signing the contract. They will be given three attempts to pass.****
Unit TELE on 2nd floor
(part of a monitor pod: Tele, Tele-Observation, and Tele-Neuro Stroke)
# Beds 35
Nurse:Patient Ratios 1:4-5 both days and nights
Required Certifications (i.e., BLS, ACLS?) BLS, ACLS, NIHSS
Common diagnosis / Types of patients Cardiac/tele patients: CHF, 24 post CABG, Watchmans, dysrhythmias, EP cases, some medical telemetry- when no longer requiring tele move off floor
Experience or 'Must have' skills "Must be able to read and interpret strips independently
Must pass the Basic Dysrhythmia exam -will be given 3 attempts to pass. Remediation may be offered. Do have a study guide that can be provided
Must have NIHSS
2+ years experience preferred ok with 1 year if comfortable and confident (***CNMs please use your clinical judgment on if they are comfortable and confident)
Prefer Neuro and Cardiac experience- not a deal breaker"
Are RN's required to titrate drips No- set rate only
Common titratable &/or set rate drips "Cardizem, Dobutamine, Milrinone, Amiodarone, Dopamine
Have step by step protocols for these drips"
Are there Tele/Monitor Techs on this unit? Are RN's required to read their own strips? What brand are the tele monitors? "Yes- 2 staffed 24/7 all 66 beds in the Tele Pod
RNs required to read and interpret"
Charge Nurse/House Supervisor? Does the charge nurse take an assignment? Free charge nurse on days. Night charge will take assignment if short staffed- will have 2-3 patients
RT/Equipment (i.e., Cpap, Bipap, High Flow, vents, etc.) Home regimen CPAP and BiPAP
Shifts & Scheduling (Do you allow self-scheduling? Block scheduling?) "12 hours 645-645
Self-scheduling but not finalized until balanced by manager
Do allow block scheduling"
Weekend Requirements "6 weekend shifts (every other weekend) in a 6 week period
Days-Sat, Sun Nights Fri, Sat"
Holiday Requirements "2 major (Eve and day- Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) and 2 minor
Will fill in where there is a need"
Is there Call or a Standby requirement? no
Floating Requirements? "Majority of time will float within the 3 monitor pods, occasionally will float out to MedSurg. May go to higher acuity floor talking ONLY tele patients
Travelers are first to float"
Scrub Color/Dress Code/Scrubs Provided? Navy - undershirts must be navy. Scrub jackets are optional, must be navy.
Unit/Department Specific Orientation "Half of first day will be spent with HR and rest of day will be with unit educator- checking systems access, unit tours, etc.
Next 2 shifts will be orienting with a nurse on the floor "
Additional Notes "Joint Commission heart attack and stroke center, have intervention capabilities
A lot of travelers extend for at least a year
Great communication
Welcoming to travelers
Always have access to manager and all the resources they will need
All 3 monitor units work closely together"